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{{short description|Association football club in England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox football club
{{Infobox football club
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| fullname = Leighton Town Football Club
| fullname = Leighton Town Football Club
| founded = 1885
| founded = 1885
| chairman = Alan Penman
| chairman = Sean Downey
| manager = Joe Sweeney
| manager = Guy Kefford (caretaker)
| league = {{English football updater|LeightoT}}
| league = {{English football updater|LeightoT}}
| position = {{English football updater|LeightoT3}}
| position = {{English football updater|LeightoT3}}
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Craig Wells resigned from the club early into the 2012–13 season – despite a strong end to the previous campaign, however he rejoined the side as manager in June 2013. Due to heavy debt and increasing costs the club made the decision not to pay their players for the 2013–14 season, becoming the only amateur side in the division.
Craig Wells resigned from the club early into the 2012–13 season – despite a strong end to the previous campaign, however he rejoined the side as manager in June 2013. Due to heavy debt and increasing costs the club made the decision not to pay their players for the 2013–14 season, becoming the only amateur side in the division.


Wells left the manager's position again in June 2014, replaced by former [[Ampthill Town F.C.|Ampthill Town]] boss Craig Bicknell.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/bicknell-takes-leighton-helm-32154/|title=Bicknell Takes Leighton Helm &#124; Pitchero Non League|website=Pitchero|publisher=Nonleague.pitchero.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826114027/http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/bicknell-takes-leighton-helm-32154/|archive-date=2014-08-26|url-status=live|accessdate=2014-08-23}}</ref>
Wells left the manager's position again in June 2014, replaced by former [[Ampthill Town F.C.|Ampthill Town]] boss Craig Bicknell.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/bicknell-takes-leighton-helm-32154/|title=Bicknell Takes Leighton Helm &#124; Pitchero Non League|website=Pitchero|publisher=Nonleague.pitchero.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826114027/http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/bicknell-takes-leighton-helm-32154/|archive-date=2014-08-26|url-status=live|access-date=2014-08-23}}</ref>


After only one season at the club, Bicknell was sacked as the manager, despite the team reaching their best league position in recent years, and was replaced by former [[Arlesey Town F.C.|Arlesey Town]], [[Hemel Hempstead Town F.C.|Hemel Hempstead Town]], [[Aylesbury United F.C.|Aylesbury United]] and [[Aylesbury F.C.|Aylesbury]] boss Mark Eaton in June 2015,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/eaton-takes-leighton-helm-40333/|title=Eaton takes Leighton helm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626065550/http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/eaton-takes-leighton-helm-40333/|archive-date=2015-06-26|url-status=live|access-date=2015-06-25}}</ref> Eaton was sacked at the end of October 2015 following a poor run of results,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/sport/local-football/leighton-sack-manager-mark-eaton-1-7045800|title=Leighton sack manager Mark Eaton|date=2015-11-03|website=Leighton Buzzard Observer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222152252/http://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/sport/local-football/leighton-sack-manager-mark-eaton-1-7045800|archive-date=2015-12-22|url-status=live|access-date=2015-12-14}}</ref> however a dispute between the departing manager and the club unfolded in the local paper.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/sport/local-football/eaton-embarrassed-by-leighton-town-sacking-1-7049527|title=Eaton ‘embarrassed’ by Leighton Town sacking|date=5 November 2015|website=Leighton Buzzard Observer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224135047/http://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/sport/local-football/eaton-embarrassed-by-leighton-town-sacking-1-7049527|archive-date=2016-02-24|url-status=live|access-date=2016-02-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/sport/local-football/leighton-town-board-fires-back-at-axed-boss-eaton-1-7080809|title=Leighton Town board fires back at axed boss Eaton|date=2015-11-24|website=Leighton Buzzard Observer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224143439/http://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/sport/local-football/leighton-town-board-fires-back-at-axed-boss-eaton-1-7080809|archive-date=2016-02-24|url-status=live|access-date=2016-02-17}}</ref>
After only one season at the club, Bicknell was sacked as the manager, despite the team reaching their best league position in recent years, and was replaced by former [[Arlesey Town F.C.|Arlesey Town]], [[Hemel Hempstead Town F.C.|Hemel Hempstead Town]], [[Aylesbury United F.C.|Aylesbury United]] and [[Aylesbury F.C.|Aylesbury]] boss Mark Eaton in June 2015,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/eaton-takes-leighton-helm-40333/|title=Eaton takes Leighton helm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626065550/http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/eaton-takes-leighton-helm-40333/|archive-date=2015-06-26|url-status=live|access-date=2015-06-25}}</ref> Eaton was sacked at the end of October 2015 following a poor run of results,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/sport/local-football/leighton-sack-manager-mark-eaton-1-7045800|title=Leighton sack manager Mark Eaton|date=2015-11-03|website=Leighton Buzzard Observer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222152252/http://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/sport/local-football/leighton-sack-manager-mark-eaton-1-7045800|archive-date=2015-12-22|url-status=live|access-date=2015-12-14}}</ref> however a dispute between the departing manager and the club unfolded in the local paper.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/sport/local-football/eaton-embarrassed-by-leighton-town-sacking-1-7049527|title=Eaton 'embarrassed' by Leighton Town sacking|date=5 November 2015|website=Leighton Buzzard Observer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224135047/http://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/sport/local-football/eaton-embarrassed-by-leighton-town-sacking-1-7049527|archive-date=2016-02-24|url-status=live|access-date=2016-02-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/sport/local-football/leighton-town-board-fires-back-at-axed-boss-eaton-1-7080809|title=Leighton Town board fires back at axed boss Eaton|date=2015-11-24|website=Leighton Buzzard Observer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224143439/http://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/sport/local-football/leighton-town-board-fires-back-at-axed-boss-eaton-1-7080809|archive-date=2016-02-24|url-status=live|access-date=2016-02-17}}</ref>


Following Leighton Town's relegation from the Southern League Division One Central in 2016, the club parted company with manager Stuart Murray.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/manager-leaves-relegated-leighton-47062/|title=Manager Leaves Relegated Leighton|date=2016-05-23|website=Pitchero|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524210511/http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/manager-leaves-relegated-leighton-47062/|archive-date=2016-05-24|url-status=live|access-date=2016-05-23}}</ref>
Following Leighton Town's relegation from the Southern League Division One Central in 2016, the club parted company with manager Stuart Murray.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/manager-leaves-relegated-leighton-47062/|title=Manager Leaves Relegated Leighton|date=2016-05-23|website=Pitchero|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524210511/http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/manager-leaves-relegated-leighton-47062/|archive-date=2016-05-24|url-status=live|access-date=2016-05-23}}</ref>


=== Return to Spartan South Midlands League ===
=== Return to Spartan South Midlands League ===
Murray was replaced by former [[Ashford Town (Middlesex) F.C.|Ashford Town (Middlesex)]] manager Paul Burgess in June 2016, as the club prepared for their first season back in the [[Spartan South Midlands Football League]] Premier Division following their relegation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/burgess-returns-to-relegated-leighton-47295/|title=Burgess Returns to Relegated Leighton|date=2016-05-31|website=Pitchero|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701145439/http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/burgess-returns-to-relegated-leighton-47295/|archive-date=2016-07-01|url-status=live|access-date=2016-06-04}}</ref> Burgess resigned in November and was replaced with Scott Reynolds as interim manager, with Adam Kirkup and Lee Halling being appointed as his assistants, and Sean Downey continuing in his role as General Manager. In May 2018, after a 4th placed finish in the league, manager Scott Reynolds resigned before being appointed as [[Aylesbury Vale Dynamos F.C.|Aylesbury]] manager shortly afterwards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/sport/football/reynolds-resigns-as-leighton-town-boss-1-8490696|title=Reynolds resigns as Leighton Town boss|website=www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05}}</ref> On 16 May, former [[Hemel Hempstead Town F.C.|Hemel Hempstead Town]] manager Danny Nicholls was appointed as his successor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/sport/football/nicholls-replaces-reynolds-at-leighton-town-1-8499399|title=Nicholls replaces Reynolds at Leighton Town|website=www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05}}</ref> However, in October 2018, Nicholls resigned after just 12 league games due to a poor run of form, with [[Aylesbury Vale Dynamos F.C.|Aylesbury]] manager Reynolds also resigning just two days later.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/sport/football/nicholls-quits-after-another-leighton-town-loss-1-8668769|title=Nicholls quits after another Leighton Town loss|website=www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bucksherald.co.uk/sport/football/reynolds-steps-down-as-aylesbury-fc-manager-1-8671762|title=Reynolds steps down as Aylesbury FC manager|date=2018-10-17|website=www.bucksherald.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05}}</ref> Joe Sweeney and Paul Copson were appointed as joint managers to replace Nicholls shortly after.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-non-league-football-paper/20181021/page/48/textview|title=REDS NET NEW DUO|last=|first=|date=21 October 2018|work=The Non-League Football Paper|access-date=|page=48}}</ref>
Murray was replaced by former [[Ashford Town (Middlesex) F.C.|Ashford Town (Middlesex)]] manager Paul Burgess in June 2016, as the club prepared for their first season back in the [[Spartan South Midlands Football League]] Premier Division following their relegation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/burgess-returns-to-relegated-leighton-47295/|title=Burgess Returns to Relegated Leighton|date=2016-05-31|website=Pitchero|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701145439/http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/burgess-returns-to-relegated-leighton-47295/|archive-date=2016-07-01|url-status=live|access-date=2016-06-04}}</ref> Burgess resigned in November and was replaced with Scott Reynolds as interim manager, with Adam Kirkup and Lee Halling being appointed as his assistants, and Sean Downey continuing in his role as general manager. In May 2018, after a 4th-placed finish in the league, manager Scott Reynolds resigned before being appointed as [[Aylesbury Vale Dynamos F.C.|Aylesbury]] manager shortly afterwards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/sport/football/reynolds-resigns-as-leighton-town-boss-1-8490696|title=Reynolds resigns as Leighton Town boss|website=www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05}}</ref> On 16 May, former [[Hemel Hempstead Town F.C.|Hemel Hempstead Town]] manager Danny Nicholls was appointed as his successor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/sport/football/nicholls-replaces-reynolds-at-leighton-town-1-8499399|title=Nicholls replaces Reynolds at Leighton Town|website=www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05}}</ref> However, in October 2018, Nicholls resigned after just 12 league games due to a poor run of form, with [[Aylesbury Vale Dynamos F.C.|Aylesbury]] manager Reynolds also resigning just two days later.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/sport/football/nicholls-quits-after-another-leighton-town-loss-1-8668769|title=Nicholls quits after another Leighton Town loss|website=www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bucksherald.co.uk/sport/football/reynolds-steps-down-as-aylesbury-fc-manager-1-8671762|title=Reynolds steps down as Aylesbury FC manager|date=2018-10-17|website=www.bucksherald.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05}}</ref> Joe Sweeney and Paul Copson were appointed as joint managers to replace Nicholls shortly after.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-non-league-football-paper/20181021/page/48/textview|title=REDS NET NEW DUO|date=21 October 2018|work=The Non-League Football Paper|page=48}}</ref>


==Club honours==
==Club honours==
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** Runners-up: 1995–96
** Runners-up: 1995–96
*'''South Midlands League Premier Division''':<ref name="fchd"/>
*'''South Midlands League Premier Division''':<ref name="fchd"/>
** Winners: 1966–67, 1991–92
** Winners: 1966–67, 1991–92, 2022–23
*'''South Midlands League Division One ''':<ref name="fchd"/>
*'''South Midlands League Division One ''':<ref name="fchd"/>
** Runners-up: 1978–79
** Runners-up: 1978–79
*'''Bedfordshire Senior Challenge Cup'''
** Winners: 1927, 1968–70, 1993, 2021–22


==Club records==
==Club records==
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** 1st round, 2005–06
** 1st round, 2005–06
*'''Best [[FA Vase]] performance''':<ref name="fchd"/>
*'''Best [[FA Vase]] performance''':<ref name="fchd"/>
** Quarter-finals, 2017–18
** Quarter-finals, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2020–21


==Former players==
==Former players==
{{see|:Category:Leighton Town F.C. players}}
{{further|:Category:Leighton Town F.C. players}}
David Murphy- best defender in the world


==Sources==
==Sources==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.leightontownfc.co.uk Leighton Town F.C. website]
*[http://www.leightontownfc.co.uk Leighton Town F.C. website]
*[https://www.facebook.com/homeofleightontownfc/?ref=bookmarks Official Facebook Page]


{{Spartan South Midlands League}}
{{Southern League}}
{{coord|51|54|46.41|N|0|39|34.81|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=title}}
{{coord|51|54|46.41|N|0|39|34.81|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=title}}


[[Category:Southern Football League clubs]]
[[Category:Southern Football League clubs]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1885]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1885]]
[[Category:Isthmian League]]
[[Category:Isthmian League clubs]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Bedfordshire]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Bedfordshire]]
[[Category:1885 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1885 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Football clubs in England]]
[[Category:Football clubs in England]]
[[Category:Leighton Buzzard]]
[[Category:Leighton Buzzard]]
[[Category:Spartan South Midlands Football League]]

Latest revision as of 20:26, 6 October 2024

Leighton Town
Official crest
Full nameLeighton Town Football Club
Nickname(s)The Reds
Founded1885
GroundBell Close, Leighton Buzzard
Capacity2,800 (400 seated)
ChairmanSean Downey
ManagerGuy Kefford (caretaker)
LeagueSouthern League Division One Central
2023–24Southern League Division One Central, 17th of 19
Websitehttp://www.leightontownfc.co.uk/

Leighton Town Football Club are an English football club located in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. They were established in 1885. The club plays home games at Bell Close and currently play in the Southern League Division One Central.

History

[edit]

Early history

[edit]

Leighton Town F.C. was formed in 1885 and in their early years were winners of the Leighton and District League on several occasions. They were one of the original members of the South Midlands League (then known as the Bedfordshire County League) in 1922, the same year they changed their name to Leighton United (a change which lasted until 1963). They were also members of the Spartan League from 1922 to 1952, but their only successes were two Spartan League Division Two titles in 1923–24 and 1927–28.

In 1952, they became founder member of the Hellenic League but after two seasons moved back to the South Midlands League. In 1965–66, Leighton finished bottom of the Premier Division, but won the title the following season. They then returned to the Spartan League once again, followed by a two-year spell in the United Counties League before returning once again to the South Midlands League where they were to remain until 1992.

Promotion to Isthmian League

[edit]

In the 1991–92 season Leighton won the South Midlands Premier Division title and stepped up to the Isthmian League, initially in Division Three, with promotion to Division Two following in 1996. The 2000–01 season brought relegation but the club bounced back in 2004, winning the title of what was now called Division Two. That same year re-organisation of the pyramid saw them switched to the Southern League.

Craig Wells resigned from the club early into the 2012–13 season – despite a strong end to the previous campaign, however he rejoined the side as manager in June 2013. Due to heavy debt and increasing costs the club made the decision not to pay their players for the 2013–14 season, becoming the only amateur side in the division.

Wells left the manager's position again in June 2014, replaced by former Ampthill Town boss Craig Bicknell.[1]

After only one season at the club, Bicknell was sacked as the manager, despite the team reaching their best league position in recent years, and was replaced by former Arlesey Town, Hemel Hempstead Town, Aylesbury United and Aylesbury boss Mark Eaton in June 2015,[2] Eaton was sacked at the end of October 2015 following a poor run of results,[3] however a dispute between the departing manager and the club unfolded in the local paper.[4][5]

Following Leighton Town's relegation from the Southern League Division One Central in 2016, the club parted company with manager Stuart Murray.[6]

Return to Spartan South Midlands League

[edit]

Murray was replaced by former Ashford Town (Middlesex) manager Paul Burgess in June 2016, as the club prepared for their first season back in the Spartan South Midlands Football League Premier Division following their relegation.[7] Burgess resigned in November and was replaced with Scott Reynolds as interim manager, with Adam Kirkup and Lee Halling being appointed as his assistants, and Sean Downey continuing in his role as general manager. In May 2018, after a 4th-placed finish in the league, manager Scott Reynolds resigned before being appointed as Aylesbury manager shortly afterwards.[8] On 16 May, former Hemel Hempstead Town manager Danny Nicholls was appointed as his successor.[9] However, in October 2018, Nicholls resigned after just 12 league games due to a poor run of form, with Aylesbury manager Reynolds also resigning just two days later.[10][11] Joe Sweeney and Paul Copson were appointed as joint managers to replace Nicholls shortly after.[12]

Club honours

[edit]
  • Isthmian League Division Two:[13]
    • Winners: 2003–04
  • Isthmian League Division Three:[13]
    • Runners-up: 1995–96
  • South Midlands League Premier Division:[13]
    • Winners: 1966–67, 1991–92, 2022–23
  • South Midlands League Division One :[13]
    • Runners-up: 1978–79
  • Bedfordshire Senior Challenge Cup
    • Winners: 1927, 1968–70, 1993, 2021–22

Club records

[edit]
  • Best league performance:[13]
    • 7th in Southern League Division One Central, 2010–11
  • Best FA Cup performance:[13]
    • 4th qualifying round, 2007–08
  • Best FA Trophy performance:[13]
    • 1st round, 2005–06
  • Best FA Vase performance:[13]
    • Quarter-finals, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2020–21

Former players

[edit]
Further information: Category:Leighton Town F.C. players

Sources

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Bicknell Takes Leighton Helm | Pitchero Non League". Pitchero. Nonleague.pitchero.com. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  2. ^ "Eaton takes Leighton helm". Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  3. ^ "Leighton sack manager Mark Eaton". Leighton Buzzard Observer. 3 November 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  4. ^ "Eaton 'embarrassed' by Leighton Town sacking". Leighton Buzzard Observer. 5 November 2015. Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  5. ^ "Leighton Town board fires back at axed boss Eaton". Leighton Buzzard Observer. 24 November 2015. Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  6. ^ "Manager Leaves Relegated Leighton". Pitchero. 23 May 2016. Archived from the original on 24 May 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  7. ^ "Burgess Returns to Relegated Leighton". Pitchero. 31 May 2016. Archived from the original on 1 July 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  8. ^ "Reynolds resigns as Leighton Town boss". www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  9. ^ "Nicholls replaces Reynolds at Leighton Town". www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  10. ^ "Nicholls quits after another Leighton Town loss". www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  11. ^ "Reynolds steps down as Aylesbury FC manager". www.bucksherald.co.uk. 17 October 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  12. ^ "REDS NET NEW DUO". The Non-League Football Paper. 21 October 2018. p. 48.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h Leighton Town at the Football Club History Database
[edit]

51°54′46.41″N 0°39′34.81″W / 51.9128917°N 0.6596694°W / 51.9128917; -0.6596694

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